I love being a midwife

[Baby Catcher, CNM]

For all of you struggling with school or the decision to go to midwife school I just want to say it's worth it. I've been out of school for over a year now and I love being a CNM. All the sacrafice and tears from school were worth it. I have a full scope job so I do GYN, AP, IP, and PP. I enjoy it all but the L&D part is my favorite. There were many times in school when I wondered if it was worth it but I'm so glad I stuck it out. There were also the negative people at work who talked about liability and possibly no job at the end of school, but it all worked out. If this is your passion then stick it out. It will be worth it!

[2BNavelgazer]

What type of practice are you working in? Are you catching at a hospital or birth center?

Thank you so much for the encouragement btw!

[danissa, LPN, LVN]

Good for you, almost a CNM!!! I also love being a midwife, although I've been a midwife in the Neonatal unit for years now, haven't "caught" a baby in a long time!!

I remember, as all midwives do, things like my first delivery..(cried my eyes out!), first twin birth, first time you managed it all on your own..WOW..what a feeling eh! Nothing better than welcoming new life into the world!

Jees, now I'm all nostalgic, may need to go and ask if I can deliver a wee one, just for the experience again!

Keep up the enthusiasm, you are just what midwifery needs..a midwife with passion for her chosen path!!:yeah:

[Baby Catcher, CNM]

I do full scope midwifery in a large teaching hospital.

Danissa, What do you do as a midwife in the NICU? I've never heard of that.

[UNC_nurseL&D]

If you don't mind me asking what are your hours like? Do you feel like you have time for yourself and your family? I really want to be a midwife but I am afraid I will be overworked! I am an L&D nurse now and our midwives always look so beat!

[Baby Catcher, CNM]

I work 4 office days per week and 1 call day. The call is 24 hours. If it's slow and I don't have anyone in labor, it's a free day. If it's busy I might not get any sleep in that 24 hour period but I always have post-call day off. I feel much more rested and have more quality time with my family than when I was FT nights in L&D.

[LLLovely, BSN, RN]

Do you find that working at a large hopital has limitations as far as your autonomy? A couple of midwives I know have said that hospital policy and on-call docs dictate much of what they are "allowed" to do and they are directed in a very medical model of birth direction.

[larzy30]

i would love to be a midwife. but i am doing so many other thing in life.

[mo18]

Hi Baby Catcher,

Right now I'm currently in a nursing school and will be done in Dec with a BSN degree. It's a dream of mine to become a nurse midwife. What steps did you go through to become a nurse midwife? And do you have any advice to give? Thanks :)

[mo18]

Hi Baby Catcher,

Right now I'm currently in a nursing school and will be done in Dec with a BSN degree. It's a dream of mine to become a nurse midwife. What steps did you go through to become a nurse midwife? And do you have any advice to give? Thanks

[TLAandy]

Thanks sooo much. It is awesome to hear from midwifes like yourself that give us a glimpse of the future. This is something I have wanted to do since I was about 5 years old and my older sister was pregnant. I couldn't understand why she had to go to the hospital, if she wasn't sick, lol. They said I would understand when I grew up, funny I am 36 now and I still don't understand, maybe I never grew up??? But thanks again for the information. I am finishing up my RN, and I am sooo jazzed about going to FSMFN in about a year. So hearing from practicing midwifes is like chicken soup for the soul!! Thank you.:yeah:

[Goozgog]

I couldn't understand why she had to go to the hospital, if she wasn't sick, lol. They said I would understand when I grew up, funny I am 36 now and I still don't understand, maybe I never grew up???

LOL!